Current Research Information System (CRIS) with linked repository

Notes

Some or all of the functions of a CRIS may be carried out by systems with other names such as Research Management Administration System (RMAS) or Electronic Research Administration (ERA)

A CRIS may be provided by a specialist vendor or created in-house

Description

In this scenario, the repository acts as the store for actual publications or other research outputs, while the CRIS acts as the master database for research management and publications information, interacting with other internal and external systems, such as those of research funders.

The CRIS provides rich contextual information for the research available in the linked repository.

Workflows are configured to minimise duplication of entry and maximise the re-use of information.

The repository focuses on making research discoverable and available through links to researchers’ profiles, and to other repositories.

CRISs may be populated through contractual arrangements with relevant data providers such as Elsevier and Thomson-Reuters (though institutions also need licences). These providers have also made APIs available so institutions could also do this population directly.

Many CRISs are compliant with CERIF, a data model for research management information which allows the relationships between entities such as people, projects, processes and outputs to be modelled and information exchanged between systems. Even non-compliant CRISs can make use of CERIF in interacting with other systems.

Examples

Aberdeen – CRIS bought from Atira (Pure) linked to AURA, its repository. PURE was jointly procured with St. Andrews.